If I were to blog about everything I love, it would be totally unfair to leave out my most frequently exhibited form of art, MAKEUP!!My favorite aspect of going out, shopping, experimenting and reviewing is makeup. I love blending colours and looks together. Colours and tones can instantly fix any kind of mood swing. I absolutely believe that there is nothing that a perfectly winged eyeliner and a bright coloured lipstick can't fix.
Since i'm not a great artist on paper or canvas, my face has always been my experimental space.
But today i'm going to blog about stage makeup. Its obviously completely different from the regular everyday makeup, but it brings about an equal amount of satisfaction.
Makeup and prep for stage is a long and precise process. It takes hours to build on the layers of makeup that will brighten your face and keep it that way throughout a very demanding stage performance. The top layer of stage makeup usually melts away with the focus of harsh lights on the dancer's face. Hence its essential for stage makeup to be much thicker and longer lasting than regular makeup.
A lot of artists completely mask their natural features and draw enhanced and exaggerated features for stage. Its always hilarious to see people's reactions when they come to see me backstage.
Most indian classical dance forms use no props or sets on stage. So most of the expression and communication is done through the face and particularly, through the eyes. Exaggerated eyes are drawn so that the viewer in the last row of an auditorium to be able to connect with the dancer on stage.
For most of my time as a dancer, I'v had other people do my makeup for me. Initially it was my mom's best friend who spent hours dressing me up and then its been different makeup artists working on me.
While thats been fun, I'm now trying to master the art of stage makeup myself. So here's a quick look at some of my makeup trials. :)
STATUTORY WARNING: The makeup looks are not for the faint hearted and were intended for stage.
